What's new?

Information about changes made for this edition is available here.

The BNF online is now available with a browseable index. This has been developed in response to feedback from users and is intended to give access to the content via an additional route that will be familiar to the many readers who have traditionally used print versions of BNF publications.

The index can be accessed via a link in the ‘top bar’ displayed at the top of each screen. Users who are unsure of the precise spelling of a particular drug name or condition may feel more comfortable browsing the index, rather than relying on the misspelling algorithm that is part of the BNF’s search function.

The index complements the existing search functionality by providing links to entries in the main body of the BNF text and to information in Appendices 6, 7 and 8 (Intravenous Additives, Borderline Substances, and Wound management products, respectively). Details in Appendix 1 (Interactions) and Appendices 2–5 (dealing with the use of medicines in liver disease, renal impairment, pregnancy and breast-feeding) are not indexed. These sections of the publication not covered by the index are easily accessed by browsing the main hierarchy or by using the full text search. In this respect the new index will also be useful for confirming the correct spelling of a term that can then be typed into the main search field.

The index has been added to online versions of BNF 57 and will be included in the Intranet version from BNF 58 (September 2009). A similar index will be added to BNF for Children online for the July 2009 edition.

The new edition of the BNF (British National Formulary) published today reflects the latest changes in guidance and emerging safety concerns, including:

• Up-to-date guidance on lipid-regulating drugs for preventing cardiovascular disease
• Advice on using cephalosporins in patients with a penicillin allergy
• New guidance on management of atrial fibrillation
• Safety alert on antiepileptic drugs
• Updated table on management of acute asthma and a new table on risks associated with HRT.

BNF 56 recommends that a statin remains the drug of choice for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. Target cholesterol concentrations are given for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events together with advice on adjusting drug treatment if these concentrations are not achieved.

BNF 56 provides valuable advice on which cephalosporins to use in patients with a history of serious penicillin allergy when other suitable antibacterials are not available.

The revised guidance on atrial fibrillation in BNF 56 is an essential read. More detail is provided on controlling the ventricular rate, restoring sinus rhythm, and assessing patients for their risk of stroke and need for thromboprophylaxis.

BNF 56 highlights the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour with antiepileptic drugs and recommends that patients should seek medical advice if they develop mood changes or suicidal thoughts.

As part of an ongoing commitment to making BNF knowledge more accessible, a new online revision aid, BNF Prescribing Practice for Medical Students, will help students assess and diagnose common clinical conditions, and improve their knowledge of safe prescribing while using the latest BNF. Designed to support best practice, the resource covers topics as diverse as asthma, cardiology, diabetes, infections, medical emergencies, drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and pregnancy.

Martin Kendall OBE, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Pharmacology from the University of Birmingham Medical school comments: “BNF 56 contains a huge amount of new information on many important clinical problems. Health professionals can rely on the latest BNF to keep themselves up to date on the best treatment options for their patients. Those training for these professions are increasingly recognising that the BNF is a valuable learning tool for the health professionals of tomorrow.”

Numerous changes are made for each new edition of the BNF. An overview of some of the most significant changes is available here.

In May the WHO regional office for SE Asia organised a workshop to enhance drug information services in India and surrounding countries. The first Inter-Country Workshop on National Drug Information Services was held in Chennai, 8 - 11 May 2007 and was organised in association with the Karnataka State Pharmacy Council, Bangalore.

Participants were from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives and included ten pharmacists and five doctors. Graeme Vernon, a medicines information pharmacist from Australia, contributed with a perspective from a hospital based centre. The focus was on creating or enhancing independent drug information services in countries with limited resources and experienced personnel.

The programme included an assessment of a range of clinical information resources including Martindale, BNF and MedicinesComplete. RPS Publishing supported the workshop by providing access to MedicinesComplete and donating copies of Martindale on CD-ROM for the centres being developed.

Numerous changes are made for each new edition of the BNF. An overview of some of the most significant changes is available here.

Published jointly by the British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain this new edition reflects the latest changes in guidance, as well as emerging safety concerns and shifts in clinical practice

Please click the BNF51 logo on the MedicinesComplete homepage for further information

The BNF is revised twice yearly and numerous changes are made between issues. For full details see Changes for this edition.

The BNF is revised twice yearly and numerous changes are made between issues. For full details see Changes for this edition.